Dance to save Indonesian park

GAYO LUES, Indonesia, 15 August 2017: More than 10,000 people turned out in Indonesia’s Aceh at the weekend to stage a record-breaking song and dance performance stressing the need to conserve a threatened national park in the westernmost province.

The men, clad in elaborate black and yellow traditional costumes, sat in neat rows, clapping their hands on their shoulders and laps and moving in an increasingly fast-paced rhythm to a traditional song.

The saman, or “the dance of a thousand hands”, is one of the country’s most popular. In 2011 it was included in the UNESCO list of items of intangible cultural heritage. Read more

Fly to Udon, drive to Laos

UDON THANI, 8 August 2017: Udon Thani is best known as a gateway province to both upper Northeast Thailand and neighbouring Laos and its capital Vientiane.

The city itself serves as an aviation hub, the closest airport to the border with Laos and the starting point for heritage tours that visit Mekong River towns such as Nong Khai, and the World Heritage sites of Ban Chiang.

Major highways link this city to other provinces, while the border is just 60 km by a four and six-lane highway. It is also an important station on the north-south rail line linking Bangkok with Nong Khai. Read more

Myanmar organises overland rally

YANGON, 30 May 2017: For the fourth year running, Myanmar will host its Myanmar Heritage Trail Tourism Rally, 3 to 7 June.

The car rally is an opportunity to take a road trip through some of the lesser-known places in Myanmar.

This year’s edition takes drivers south to open up an area of the country that will one day be home to Southeast Asia’s top beach resorts as tourism develops. Read more

Yangon Trust guards heritage

YANGON, 29 May 2017: Yangon Heritage Trust claims Yangon has nearly 6,000 heritage buildings across the city that require checking and registering to ensure the city’s heritage is preserved.

Irrawaddy media reported so far the YHT has logged nearly 6,000 heritage buildings—some dating back to the British colonial era.

YHT’s director and vice chairperson, Daw Moe Moe Lwin, was quoted saying the number will soon be higher as the survey is expanding to other townships in Yangon that have old buildings. Read more

History lives on in Yangon

YANGON, 26 May 2017: Yangon Heritage Trust has recognised the Yangon Stock Exchange building as the latest historic landmark to receive a Blue Plaque.

According to YHT, the Blue Plaque installed at the Yangon Stock Exchange was the trust’s 18th plaque.

YHT awards Blue Plaques to distinguish Yangon’s top architectural landmarks. Blue Plaques are permanent signs installed on public places to commemorate a link between locations and a famous person, event, or landmark. They serve as historical markers. Read more

Myanmar to beef up heritage law

BAGAN, 19 May 2017: Myanmar’s government will amend the 1998 Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Law to empower authorities and keep up with the current tourism situation.

Global New Light of Myanmar reported the 1998 cultural heritage law would be amended before Bagan files for World Heritage list status.

Religious Affairs and Culture Minister, Thura U Aung Ko, was quoted saying the government will amend the law as it out of date considering the present tourism situation. Read more

Cover up to enjoy Vietnam’s heritage

HANOI, 9 May 2017: Hanoi Relic Site Management Board says visitors will be banned from entering heritage sites if they dress inappropriately.

Local media quoted the board head, Nguyen Thi Hoa, saying visitors who wear unsuitable, or scanty revealing clothes, will be refused entry at temples and heritage attractions.

“The move was in response to Hanoi People’s Committee supposedly voluntary code on public behaviour.” Read more

Cover up call at ancient towers

KHANH HOA, 7 April 2017: One of Vietnam’s heritage sites, Ponagar Cham Towers, has introduced a regulation to ensure foreign tourists cover up when they visit the site.

Tourists dressed in shorts and sleeveless shirts are being issued with overcoats.

Tuoi Tre News reported tourists dressed in shorts and or sleeveless shirts are now being redirected to a counter where officials dispense lightweight overcoats. Read more

Bagan map in pipeline

BAGAN, 24 March 2017: Bagan Tourism Development and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are working on a new tourist map of Bagan.

Myanmar Times media quoted Bagan Tourism Development assistant project manager, Daw Yu Yu Lin, saying the map would make it easier for visitors to explore the heritage destinations.

“The guide map will also highlight some not-so-well-known pagodas where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and history of Bagan.” Read more

STB office has colourful history

KOTA KINABALU, 22 March 2017: Last week, Sabah Tourism Board’s office building passed its 99th anniversary and is now counting down to centennial celebrations set for 16 March 2018.

The gazetted building is probably the oldest tourism board building in ASEAN and in its own right an important heritage attraction that draws photographers and tourists on city tours.

It is viewed as an icon representing the state’s efforts to preserve and restore historical buildings to bring heritage to the forefront of tourism promotions. Read more

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